‘Brooklyn Bank Heist’ is latest in series of local thrillers
BookBeat: During Depression, Montague St. Bank Was an Inviting Target
Brooklyn historian and writer John B. Manbeck has published the latest installment in his “Brooklyn Heights Crime Series,” a historical caper called “Brooklyn Bank Heist” (Breuckelen Books).
It’s particularly relevant to this time of the year, since it takes place during the Christmas shopping season of 1930.
Just like every year, there were large crowds buying presents at the fancy Fulton Street department stores. Since credit cards hardly existed (although Manbeck mentions “charge cards,” most likely issued by a particular store), most shoppers would likely have to withdraw money from a bank. And because ATMs, banking by phone and banking by computer were non-existent, the banks were much more crowded than they are today.
Of all the banks along Montague Street, the biggest, most prestigious was the Brooklyn Trust Company (which now houses a Chase branch). If you guessed by the title that a bank robbery was in the making, you’d be right.